Matt Renshaw Released From Test Squad To Play BBL Qualifier; No Concussion Substitute Available For Australia

Australia batter Matt Renshaw is set to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL) qualifier for the Brisbane Heat against the Sydney Sixers on Friday. Matt Renshaw is the only reserve batter in the Australia squad for the first Test match against the West Indies.

Matt Renshaw’s release to play in the BBL qualifier means Australia will be without a concussion substitute on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test. Australia’s Test team will not have a concussion replacement option within 24 hours if any batter suffers a head injury.

Renshaw secured a spot in Australia’s 13-man squad for the first Test but didn’t feature in the playing XI for the series opener. Steven Smith took the opening position in place of the retired David Warner, and Cameron Green was included in the side to bat at No. 4.

The Brisbane Heat team secured the top position on the points table in the 2023-24 BBL season with seven victories, one loss, and two no-results in 10 matches. Renshaw scored only 113 runs in seven matches at an average of 18.83 and a strike rate of under 112.

Matt Renshaw Released To Play For Brisbane Heat In BBL 2023-24

Cricket Australia (CA) has confirmed that Matt Renshaw will travel from Adelaide to the Gold Coast on Thursday night to play for the Brisbane Heat and will return on Saturday morning for Day 4 of the ongoing first Test match.

Australia will be in an unusual situation without a batting concussion substitute available at the ground. In the unlikely event of requiring a concussion substitute on Day 3, Renshaw is expected to return to Adelaide on short notice.

Australia has required a concussion substitute twice in Test cricket, with Labuschagne famously being the first at Lord’s in 2019. In a noteworthy coincidence, Renshaw served as a concussion substitute for David Warner in a Test match against India in Delhi last year.

Australia Continues Domination In 1st Test Against West Indies

Australia maintained their commanding Test performance on the opening day of the match. Pat Cummins provided early breakthroughs, restricting the visitors to 27/2. Openers Kraigg Brathwaite and Tagenarine Chanderpaul were dismissed for low scores.

Josh Hazlewood demonstrated his skills by taking the next four wickets. He also reached the milestone of 250 wickets in Test cricket. The West Indies team experienced a collapse, going from 98/3 to 104/6 due to Hazlewood’s impressive bowling spell in Adelaide.

Pat Cummins took the next two wickets in the West Indies’ first innings. Debutant Shamar Joseph, batting at No.11, contributed crucial runs with a score of 36 off 41 balls, including three fours and a six. The team was bowled out for a total of 188 runs in 62.1 overs.

Australia vs West Indies Playing XI

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Justin Greaves, Joshua Da Silva(w), Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Kemar Roach, Shamar Joseph

Australia: Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins(c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Also read: AUS Vs WI: Matt Renshaw And Cameron Green Included As Australia Announce Test Squad for West Indies